Ampicillin
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 9 |
Table of Contents
- Ampicillin
- Pharmacist Assessment Report
- Ampicillin: beta-lactam inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis → laryngitis
- One-Sentence Summary
- Quick Overview
- Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
- Clinical Trial Evidence
- Literature Evidence
- India Market Information
- Safety Considerations
- Conclusion and Next Steps
- Disclaimer
Ampicillin: beta-lactam inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis → laryngitis
One-Sentence Summary
Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis and is marketed in India in many single-ingredient products. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for laryngitis, but no clinical trials are registered, and the 19 retrieved publications are mostly case reports, reviews and unrelated studies, with no direct ampicillin efficacy data for laryngitis. The evidence for this prediction is therefore weak, and the recommendation is to hold.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Not recorded in the local data |
| Predicted New Indication | laryngitis |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9997 |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| India Market Status | Listed in a compiled Indian medicine price dataset (at least 20) – CDSCO approval status is not included in this data |
| Number of Listed Products | at least 20 |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that blocks bacterial cell wall synthesis. Detailed mechanism of action data are not otherwise available in the data compiled for this report, so this description rests on the drug’s known class behaviour.
Some bacterial infections of the upper airway, such as epiglottitis, laryngeal abscess and deep neck infection, overlap biologically with laryngitis. Ampicillin has been used in several of these conditions, for example in paediatric epiglottitis, so a bacterial-airway link is plausible.
There are important limits. Most laryngitis is viral, so an antibacterial would not be expected to help in most cases. The retrieved papers mostly concern epiglottitis, abscess, croup or neck infections rather than laryngitis itself. They contain no direct efficacy data for ampicillin in laryngitis. Under the evidence rules, this places the prediction at L5: model prediction only, with no cited study that directly addresses the disease.
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered.
Literature Evidence
The publications below are the most relevant retrieved. None studies ampicillin in laryngitis itself.
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3977063 | 1985 | Review | Anaesth Intensive Care | Chart review of 161 children with acute epiglottitis; 45 complications and 5 deaths; airway management is the priority |
| 3026014 | 1986 | Not classified | Rev Infect Dis | Sulbactam/ampicillin for acute epiglottitis in children, where about 25% of Hib strains produce beta-lactamase |
| 3290661 | 1988 | Not classified | Monatsschr Kinderheilkd | 27 children with epiglottitis; ampicillin-resistant Hib appeared and changed treatment choices |
| 6881564 | 1983 | Not classified | Anesth Analg | 23 children with epiglottitis treated with ampicillin or chloramphenicol; duration of intubation and fever reviewed |
| 3322611 | 1987 | Not classified | Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci | 19 adult epiglottitis cases; bacteriology and treatment principles |
| 2603419 | 1989 | Review | West J Med | 9 adults with acute epiglottitis; 4 needed intubation |
| 35923122 | 2023 | Case report/Review | Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol | Spontaneous laryngeal abscess case with review of reported cases |
| 25944348 | 2015 | Cohort | Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg | Perioperative antibiotic choice in laryngectomy and its link to complications |
| 39879424 | 2025 | Not classified | CoDAS | Quality assessment of laryngitis and pharyngitis clinical guidelines (AGREE II) |
| 41536375 | 2025 | Not classified | Cureus | Case showing when a croup diagnosis should be reconsidered |
India Market Information
At least 20 valid single-ingredient licences are recorded, and the list may be partial. Five main examples:
| Authorization Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212580 | Synthocilin 100mg Oral Drops | Bottle of 10 ml oral drops | Not recorded |
| 137962 | Megapen 125mg/125mg Injection | Vial of 2 ml injection | Not recorded |
| 186416 | Roscillin 125mg Dry Syrup | Bottle of 30 ml dry syrup | Not recorded |
| 64016 | Dicillin Forte 500mg Capsule | Strip of 4 capsules | Not recorded |
| 6942 | Ampilox 250 mg/250 mg Injection | Vial of 1 injection | Not recorded |
Safety Considerations
- Drug Interactions: 61 interactions are recorded. Moderate-level interactions include doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, kanamycin, balsalazide, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole and picosulfuric acid. Clarithromycin is rated minor.
Please refer to the package insert for warnings and contraindications.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The prediction score is very high, but there are no clinical trials and no publication directly studies ampicillin in laryngitis. Most laryngitis is viral, so a benefit is doubtful, and antibiotic stewardship also argues against use without stronger evidence.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Controlled studies of ampicillin in bacterially confirmed laryngitis
- Detailed mechanism of action data
- Package insert warnings and contraindications from the local licences
- A clear definition of which bacterial laryngeal subtypes, if any, are the target
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.